ROADMAP FOR EPA IMPLEMENTATION IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR

EPA-related benefits will not flow automatically

Presented to an EPA Workshop for private sector stakeholders 5th April 2012 Errol L. Humphrey, EPA Implementation Consultant Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade

HISTORICAL CONTEXT

Lome Conventions & Cotonou Agreement A new WTO Compatible Trading Arrangement

Presented by Errol Humphrey to a BPSTT workshop on the EPA 5th April 2012

SCOPE OF COVERAGE

A Comprehensive Agreement Asymmetry Some Provisions of Particular Relevance to Manufacturers

Presented by Errol Humphrey to a BPSTT workshop on the EPA 5th April 2012

STATUS OF EPA IMPLEMENTATION

MAJOR CONCERNS:

Is there an EPA information deficit? The need to energize a reluctant private sector

Presented by Errol Humphrey to a BPSTT workshop on the EPA 5th April 2012

EPA IMPLEMENTATION IN BARBADOS

Implementing Institutions

Principal Activities
Business Support Organizations
Presented by Errol Humphrey to a BPSTT Workshop on the EPA 5th April 2012

TRADE IN GOODS UNDER THE EPA

Some of the benefits for Barbadian exporters: Mutually Agreed Duty & Quota-free Access More Flexible Rules of Origin Modern Sanitary & Phyto-Sanitary Regime Trade Facilitation
Presented by Errol Humphrey to a BPSTT workshop on the EPA 5th April 2012

REGIONAL PREFERENCE

Article 238
Any more favourable treatment and advantagethat may be granted under this Agreement by any signatory CARIFORUM State to the EC Party shall also be enjoyed by each Signatory CARIFORUM State

Presented by Errol Humphrey to a BPSTT workshop on the EPA 5th April 2012

A FEW EXPORTING PRINCIPLES

Companies must be genuinely interested in exporting to EU Research to determine what products you can supply to the market Realistic assessment of what you need to be competitive in the target market Develop strategy for accessing EU market
Presented by Errol Humphrey to a BPSTT workshop on the EPA 5th April 2012

CERTAIN PRODUCTS EXCLUDED FROM LIBERALIZATION

CARIFORUM excluded a number of products from liberalization, incl: Food & Beverage Items Cosmetics, Soaps etc. Garments Craft Items

Presented by Errol Humphrey to a BPSTT workshop on the EPA 5th April 2012

DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION
Competitiveness Improvements Provision of Technical Assistance Promotion of Private Investment Need for Proactive Stakeholders

Presented by Errol Humphrey to a BPSTT workshop on the EPA 5th April 2012

CARIFORUM-EU EPA

Links to official versions of the EPA:

http://ec.europa.eu/trade/issues/bilateral/regions/a cp/pr220208_en.htm http://www.crnm.org

Presented by Errol Humphrey to a BPSTT workshop on the EPA 5th April 2012

THANK YOU

Presented by Errol Humphrey to a BPSTT workshop on the EPA 5th April 2012